WASHINGTON: “A brutal killer, one who has caused so much hardship and death, has violently been eliminated,” Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House. “He will never again harm another innocent man, woman or child. He died like a dog. He died like a coward. The world is now a much safer place.”
Trump said he was able to watch most of the operation in the situation room as it happened.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2019
“Al-Baghdadi was vicious and violent and he died in a vicious and violent way. As a coward running and crying,” Trump said. “This raid was impeccable and could only have taken place with the acknowledgment and help of certain other nations and people. I want to thank the nations of Russia, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and I also want to thank the Syrian kurds for certain support they were able to give us.”
The president described al-Baghdadi running into a dead-end tunnel, “whimpering, crying and screaming the whole time.” He also confirmed that the ISIS leader detonated a suicide vest that he was wearing and killed himself, two of his wives and some children. He said the two women were wearing vests, but they hadn’t been detonated.
There were no American troops wounded, but a military dog was hurt when al-Baghdadi’s vest was detonated, Trump said.
The president said al-Baghdadi’s remains were positively identified with an onsite DNA test.
The president said American forces were in the compound for about two hours after the mission and collected sensitive information.
“Last night was a great night for the United States and for the world,” Trump said.
